The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to a transfer of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk since what feels like the first week of the 2023 season, when he wowed the Steelers with eight catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
As the chances of Steelers GM Omar Khan and 49ers GM John Lynch agreeing on a trade package sway with each passing day, Steelers fans are growing impatient. Van Jefferson seems viable, but the fact remains that the Steelers need a No. 2 receiver to counter George Pickens.
With the preseason coming to a close, the Steelers have two options: 1. sell everything for Aiyuk, 2. take a conservative approach and go for someone with less experience.
I’ve advocated in the past for gritting your teeth and making the move that will improve the Steelers’ offense the fastest, but there’s a strong argument for a different move: trading for John Metchie III from the Houston Texans.
John Metchie III is a familiar name as he has been linked to the Steelers as a potential target in the 2022 NFL Draft. Metchie was selected just eight picks ahead of Pickens in that draft, so who knows which direction the Steelers would have gone if he had been available.
The Steelers clearly did well.
Pickens appears to be on his way to becoming a dominant receiver in the NFL. However, Metchie’s career took a different direction when he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a form of cancer, shortly after training camp began in his rookie season.
Metchie rarely took the field in 2023, catching 16 passes for 179 yards as the Texans offense surprised the league by being one of the best.
Metchie had a strong preseason performance in 2024, catching 10 passes for 100 yards and scoring one score. Now rumors are circulating on social media that several teams have inquired about trading the former Alabama Crimson Tide playmaker.
I have covered Alabama throughout his career, so as I approach the subject, I want to make it clear that my point is not to be biased and have another Alabama player on the roster, but simply to know Metchie for the player he is on and off the field.
Without punishing Aiyuk with an unnecessary misstep (let’s face it, the guy just wants to get paid and play where he wants, and he deserves it), there are no character concerns with Metchie. He plays with emotion, yes, but not in the Pickens way, which could be misconstrued as a negative. Metchie’s emotions are more like Hines Ward’s. He’s there to have fun and play football at a high level.
The Steelers need a play-style complement to Pickens, and Aiyuk fits that, but so does Metchie. Metchie is more of a possession slot type receiver with the ability to play outside. He won’t overwhelm defenses, but he’s a reliable player who can target and make plays after the catch.
Consider that Metchie was a mediocre first-rounder in the 2022 draft. He was a star at Alabama who partnered with Jameson Williams to create an explosive passing attack for the Crimson Tide. His lack of productivity in the NFL has more to do with his unfortunate health condition than anything else. When he’s on the field, he’s a reliable option, and that’s what the Steelers need.
Ultimately, Metchie’s price is significantly lower than Aiyuk’s, even if it rises due to interest from the league. With the ability to add another wide receiver to the roster, the Steelers could upgrade for someone with tremendous potential and the right attitude without ruining themselves financially.
